Location: Shimo-Nabekura, Hiraka-machi
Site(s) of performance: Kashima Shrine and other places in the community
Date(s): 3rd Sunday of July
Designation: City-Designated Intangible Folkloric Cultural Property
Category: Taiko-Furyū and Matsuri-Bayashi
Nabekura Bayashi is the music for the rituals of Kashima-Okuri, which used to be practiced on July 19 and now is held on the 3rd Sunday of July every year. A yatai float (Kashima ship) with a large straw-made Kashima doll goes around the community and people put their small Kashima dolls on the yatai float. A drum is installed on the stern of the Yatai float. In addition to the drum, Japanese flutes, hand cymbals, and hand gongs are played. Musicians walk after the yatai float except the drummer. The yatai float starts from Kashima Shrine and goes around the community. At the end of the Kashima-Okuri here, the Kashima dolls and decorations are burnt on the riverside to pray for bumper crops and the health and safety of the community.
